Wind Wire: Small surge

1 July 2009

The surge in new wind plant connected to Germany's grid in the first three months of 2009, which coincided with the introduction of higher guaranteed purchase prices for wind generated electricity from January 1, was only minor.

Solar energy institute ISET at the university of Kassel says 402 MW was
commissioned in the first quarter of 2009, up from 325.4 MW in the same
period a year earlier. The country's amended renewable energy law raised
the long term power purchase rate by EUR0.01/kWh to EUR0.92 /kWh for
onshore projects coming online this year. Some wind developers held off
connecting capacity at the end of last year or delayed construction
timetables to take advantage of the price hike (Windpower Monthly,
February 2009). If the 94 MW commissioned in April is included, the 496
MW connected in the first four months of this year is almost identical
to the 494.2 MW installed in the same period in 1998. Germany's total
grid connected wind capacity was 24,055 MW at the end of April, says
ISET.